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Classroom Residencies

Classroom Residencies are a great way to bring core curriculum to life through theatre. Asolo Rep Teaching Artists develop high-quality standards-based learning opportunities for the classroom that encourage students to learn through arts integration. 

What is arts integration?  

 

What is available?

PreK-2: Sharing Stories

Literacy, Drama, Collaboration, Art-Making

Storytelling supports language development and creates connections. Sharing Stories residencies invite participants to explore stories together using their senses and their actor’s toolbox: minds, bodies, and voices. Each session, Asolo Rep Teaching Artists bring a book to life, diving deeper into literacy through theatre. Young artists use their senses to connect emotions and language, explore movement and sound, and build worlds with objects that are all around us. Take a deep breath in, put on your Imagination Suit, and experience stories in a fun, accessible, and interactive way. 

Length of residency: 8 30 min-1-hr sessions (length of residency depends on classroom) 

Standards Addressed: 

Middle and High School:  Adapting Classics

ELA, Theatre, Collaboration, Writing

Dive into the powerful words of Shakespeare’s text, exploring different ways of adapting, interpreting, and connecting with classic stories. Uncover the complexity of the characters through performance; understand the stories by creating your own adaptations; and connect with the language and make it your own--through theatre.  

 

Essence of Shakespeare

Find the essence of a Shakespearean play and create art with it! In this dynamic residency, students work with Asolo Rep Teaching Artists to identify a main theme in one of the Bard’s works. Students use digital media, visual art, and pop culture to share their message, learning more about the story and the themes in the process. 

  • Grades: 6-12
  • Length of residency: 3 1-hr sessions OR 1 3-hr session 
  • Standards Addressed: LAFS.910.RL.3.9, TH.912.H.2.2, TH.912.H.2.2, TH.912.C.1.7, TH.912.O.2.7, TH.912.H.3.3 

 

Adaptations of Classics

Make a classic story yours. In this introduction to adaptation, classes explore how diving into a text can allow you to design interpretation of your dreams.  Using textual analysis, research, and our imaginations, students have the opportunity to explore the different worlds and circumstances in which we can set a classic story. 

  • Grades: 8-10
  • Length of Residency: 5 1-hr sessions 
  • Standards Addressed: LAFS.910.RL.3.9, LAFS.1112.RL.2.4:, TH.912.H.2.2, LAFS.1112.RL.3.7, TH.912.C.1.7, TH.912.S.1.6, TH.912.O.2.7 

 

Adapting Shakespeare

Have a specific work you’re playing with? We’ve got you!  

Students work with Asolo Rep Teaching Artists to examine and rethink a full play, adapting it to be one act by emphasizing the important plot points. They will be challenged to imagine their own vision of the world of the play, the text, and the characters.  

This program culminates with students developing their own concept for adaption and pitching their initial ideas.    

  • Grades: 11-12 
  • Length of Residency: 8-10 1-hr sessions
  • Standards Addressed: TH.912.O.1.4, LAFS.910.RL.3.9, LAFS.1112.RL.2.4:, TH.912.H.2.2, LAFS.1112.RL.3.7, TH.912.C.1.6, TH.912.C.1.7, TH.912.S.1.6, TH.912.O.2.7 

Learn more about Classroom Residencies

Who are the Asolo Rep Teaching Artists?

Asolo Rep Teaching Artists and Staff are highly-qualified educators, performers, and artists who share a passion for teaching. Many have advanced degrees and teaching certifications, while also having extensive stage, film, and performance credits. Through direct programming creation and collaboration with Asolo Rep Education & Engagement staff, students who work with our Teaching Artists receive dynamic and substantive artistic and educational experiences across all programming areas.  

Asolo Rep Teaching Artists and Education & Engagement staff are required to be background checked and to have proof of up-to-date Covid vaccination status on file.

What does a residency cost?

The cost of a residency varies depending on the program, number of classrooms, and number of teaching artists. The base cost (1 teaching artist, 1 classroom) will be discussed when designing the program. 

Please do not let budget be a barrier: We at Asolo Rep believe in the value of the arts and the artists that we employ, which is why we are open about the cost of programming.  We also want every student and educator to have access to unique and meaningful arts experiences. If cost is a barrier, communicate with us, and we can talk about how we can make something happen.    

What if my class schedule doesn’t fit with the residency’s structure?

We’ll work with you! Our goal is to create an experience for you and your students that is going to be responsive to your needs so that everyone can participate feeling comfortable and confident. Tell us what you need and we will work together to make it happen. 

What does a residency generally look like?

  • Step one: Schedule and talk about the needs in the classroom.   

  • Step two: Teaching Artists meet with educators/administrators involved. This may also include a classroom visit so that Teaching Artists can witness the culture and set-up of the classroom. 

  • Step three: Sessions! Teaching Artists work with educators/administrators to maintain schedule.  

  • Step four: Reflections and evaluations.    

Asolo Rep Teaching Artists are bringing in arts-based learning experiences that should be considered instructional time. Please do not schedule students to leave or have interventions or tutoring during this time.  

Students participate to their highest degree when the adults they know and trust also participate. Come be part of the fun and your students will, too!  

For more information contact: 
Gaby Rodriguez (she/her), Community Engagement Associate: education@asolo.org